Catholic group: Tweet the pope about fiscal cliff

WASHINGTON (AP) – To give tweets is to receive them. Knowing that, a Catholic group wants one of Twitter’s newest users, Pope Benedict XVI, to pressure Democrats and Republicans to show compassion in their “fiscal cliff” talks.

A day before the pope plans to begin responding to tweeted questions, Catholics United urged people Tuesday to tweet him first. The group, which advocates for the poor, wants people to ask him to state his views on the partisan battle over controlling federal deficits, hoping he will bring compassion to the debate.

Catholics United spokesman Chris Pumpelly said hundreds of people have so far tweeted the pope on the issue on his new handle, (at) Pontifex.

The fiscal cliff is tax increases and spending cuts that begin in January unless bargainers find alternative savings.

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